Former York pub manager guilty in child-porn case

The former general manager of a York City pub must spend at least 15 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography, according to court records.

Thomas A. O'Connor, who goes by Tony, remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled, according to Amanda Endy, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Harrisburg.

As part of an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, O'Connor, 46, of York, pleaded guilty Jan. 6 to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of 30 years, according to court records.

O'Connor also pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, records state.

"He will be required to register as a sex offender after he is released, whenever that may be," Endy said.

She confirmed that once O'Connor — a citizen of Ireland — is released from federal prison, there is a possibility he could be deported.

"That would be up to Homeland Security," Endy said.

O'Connor's federal indictment states that between May 2010 and August 2012, he persuaded or coerced a minor to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of making child pornography.

The indictment also states O'Connor was in possession of child pornography.

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O'Connor is a former general manager of Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub on North George Street.

His federal public defender, Heidi Freese, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

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